2017 Ford F-350 DRW XLT Crew Cab new car reviews

Time for a tow vehicle review. The Ford F-350 has been a popular hauler for decades. This truck came with the 6.2-liter gas engine rated at 385 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque. Want more? You can get the torque-happy 6.7-liter diesel drivetrain for an additional $8795 and bump that number up to a whopping 925 lb.-ft.

These modern Super Duty trucks also come with a host of towing options available and can be outfitted to haul a gooseneck trailer straight from the factory.

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Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard
Publisher

I have an extended-body Ford E-250 van and an enclosed trailer. I’ve driven 40-foot-long motorhomes. I drive Project Ramp Truck. I’ve even driven a cruise ship, though the captain had his hand on the steering wheel, too.

But this is by far the biggest thing I’ve ever driven, or at least it feels like it. Holy crap does it feel big. At stoplights, you can hide an entire 3-Series BMW in front of the hood. Drive-thrus? Let’s just say Long John Silver’s is going to need some new landscaping after this comes through. Pickup trucks have officially outgrown American roads.

So, how is it as a truck? I didn’t have a herd of cattle or a six car stacker to tow, so instead I put a greasy E36 M3 subframe in the bed. The truck didn’t seem to notice, and I mostly remember the climb into the Everest-tall bed to retrieve it. Oh, and the ride: I’d fill this thing up with 3 tons of sand for my daily commute just to keep my back from breaking. To be fair, I did try to tow with it, but couldn’t find a hitch that fit the 3inch receiver opening. Yes, seriously, Ford went above and beyond the 2-inch and 2.5-inch competition. This means the truck can tow more without a gooseneck or fifth-wheel hitch, but it also means it's impossible to buy the right hitch locally. After trying for an hour to find the right adapter, I gave up and drove the van. How much can the F-350 tow with its hitch? 21,000 pounds, or waaaaaay more than the maximum a normal person can tow without a CDL. Step up to a gooseneck, and towing capacity is a whopping 34,000 pounds.

All the negatives aside, if you need a big truck to do big truck stuff, look no further. If you’re most people, stick to the F-150.

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Comments
doc_speeder
doc_speeder HalfDork
2/27/18 5:29 p.m.

Not to nit pick, but just to avoid confusion, the 6.2 gas V8 is not turbo charged.

crankwalk
crankwalk Dork
2/27/18 6:03 p.m.
doc_speeder said:

Not to nit pick, but just to avoid confusion, the 6.2 gas V8 is not turbo charged.

 

 

That was going to be my question. When did Ford start making really gnarly V8 ecoboosts?

Robbie
Robbie GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
2/27/18 7:29 p.m.
crankwalk said:
doc_speeder said:

Not to nit pick, but just to avoid confusion, the 6.2 gas V8 is not turbo charged.

 

 

That was going to be my question. When did Ford start making really gnarly V8 ecoboosts?

I was thinking how does a 6.2 ecoboost not make more power than a 3.7 ecoboost?

alfadriver
alfadriver MegaDork
2/27/18 8:13 p.m.

Yea, I have never heard of a turbo 6.2 .  

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Digital Experience Director
2/27/18 9:57 p.m.

Sorry about that, guys. The truck’s spec sheet listed that, and it somehow made it through editing. It’s not turbocharged, and I’ll fix Ed’s post. 

bOttOmfeeder
bOttOmfeeder New Reader
2/28/18 1:50 p.m.

Your truck came from the factory with a standard 3" receiver with a 2.5" and a 2" reducer....  maybe someone swiped them.....

thatsnowinnebago
thatsnowinnebago GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
2/28/18 4:21 p.m.

TIL: 2.5" and 3" receivers exist. 

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